Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 3: A unique and grand celebration of Tulunadu held at Dombivili was a great event that brought in memories of Tulu culture among those who saw and participated in it.

The items such as Tulu nadu gobbulu, Attemi celebration and such other items will remain in the minds of the people for a long time to come. The celebrations, a brainchild of Thonse Vijaykumar Shetty, winner of Karnataka Rajyothsava award was held by Dombivli’s Tulukoota.

A spacious ground about two kilometers away from Dombivli railway station in Davdi village was converted by 30 tuluvas by ten days of hard work into a beautiful Tulunadu and an acre of it was prepared for slush Kambala race.  The members of Tulukoota led by Hemanth Shetty had prepared Kambala field, Kantabare Boodubare Manjotta, Tulu chavadi, Ankara kala, Pantada Jal and Parbada Dompa that reminded of Bombaid Tulunadu celebrated at Parel Kamagar stadium in 2008.

Special adoration was held on August 25, Sunday in Naga temple owned by Balakrishna – Anita couple.  Guests Aikala Ganesh Shetty, Divakar Shetty, Mitrapatna Narayan Bangera, Ravi Sinil, Rajasutha and Rajiva Bhandary adored Kalpavriksha.  One of the tulukoota member climbed a coconut tree, plucked tender coconuts and offered the water to God to inaugurate the programme.

A coconut plant was planted in the field to set the race of Kambala in motion.  Gokulastami was celebrated around specially decorated Tulasi deck as per local customs.  Special worship, Gopooje, City Bhajane and dance programmes were led by Mitrapatna Narayan Bangera and Ashok Shetty.  Sesame, poha-jaggery and Panchagajjaya were distributed among the gathered.

The guests set the race in motion by pouring milk and tender coconut water at the slush field and distributing prasada.  Youth wearing banians, byras tied to their waist and mutale tied to their heads along with young girls wearing village saree costumes and muttale tied to their heads got down to the slush field.  Thousands of Tuluvas danced at the sight with joy.  The sound of garnal, dhol, chende, ogate, conch and musical instruments reached the sky.

Several competitions such as broom making competition, madal making, preparation of rope from grass, climbing of coconut tree, Chennamane and cock fight were held, up on the ground.  Several artistes could be seen walking in costumes of Koti-chennaya , Tuluvappe, farmers, Narada and monster’s masks.

The forum booth was decorated with tender coconuts, coconut leaves, beetelnut bunch, coconut and banana plants, pingara mud pots, cucumber, pumpkin and mango leaves. The booth decorated with naturally available items was the center of attraction.

The stage had bhajans by the women in the morning, cultural programme by Tonse Pushkal Kumar and prize distribution ceremony.  Yakshagana artistes who had arrived from their home towns consisting of Ajekar Goethian Balaga and Devapoonja Pratapa played Talamaddale.  Children demonstrated yoga and child Yakshagana artistes held dance programmes.  Pooja Devadiga group played local instrumental music.  Several programmes such as these were held in the event.

The Mosaru kudike competition in the slush field was most attractive among all the programmes.  The programme brought memories of Udupi Vitla pindi programme.  Children jumped, danced and played in the slush.

The programme in the evening was unique.  Tonse Vijayakumar Shetty, president of Tulu Koota and office bearers Hemanth Shetty, Arun Shetty (Kushala), Raghuveer Bhat, Taranath Ameen, Satish Shetty, Arun Shetty, Suresh Bhat, Suresh Shetty, Nityananda Shetty, Nityananda Bhandari, Hemanand Devadiga, Ashok Shetty Mundkoor, Prasad Shetty, Bhujanga Salian and Udaya J Shetty had arranged the concluding programme in the field itself. 

The programme which signified unity and togetherness was celebrated by all the Tuluvas like brothers and sisters. The attendees were also invited for Ganapathi feast to be held on September 8 at Savitri bai Fale hall.

Another item that was praiseworthy in the programme was the food that was provided to the gathering.  The light breakfast consisted of tuluva preparations while the lunch had special Gokulastami meal consisting of Moode milk that made everybody satisfied.